Spring Creek: Developing a Watershed Protection Plan
The Houston-Galveston Area Council developed a watershed protection plan for the Spring Creek watershed to address water quality issues.
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Project Area
River Basin: San Jacinto
Water Body: Spring Creek (1008)
Location: Harris, Montgomery, Waller, and Grimes counties
Background
The Spring Creek watershed includes a mix of land uses, ranging from rapidly urbanizing areas to rural prairieland. Spring Creek has not met state water quality standards for primary contact recreation use since 2000 because of high bacteria concentrations, and for aquatic-life use due to low levels of dissolved oxygen. Spring Creek also has concerns for excess nutrients.
Back to topProject Description
October 2019 – November 2021
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) led the development of a watershed protection plan (WPP) and facilitated a watershed partnership representing all stakeholders in the project area.
Actions the council took include:
- Held regular stakeholder meetings.
- Coordinated with local partners.
- Promoted the project to the public via the press, direct contact, social media, and other appropriate means.
- Conducted water quality analyses for all parameters of concern and other relevant parameters with data from various sources.
- Ran modeling analyses to estimate the amount of pollutants entering the watershed.
- Identified improvements needed to meet state standards.
HGAC also coordinated with local partners on targeted outreach including:
- Hosting educational events.
- Partnering on other joint events.
- Promoting related partner programs.
- Attending local events and meetings.
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency accepted the Spring Creek WPP in 2023.
For More Information
Houston-Galveston Area Council Watershed-based Plans
Spring Creek Watershed Partnership webpage
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.